More Reviews By Lindsay

The concept of Legend is to acknowledge those who built the Partagas name; the blend, however, is 100% modern. Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Honduran Olancho San Agustin binder, Dominican Piloto long-fillers...Medium to full-bodied, it's teeming with baking spice, leather, cocoa, and some sweetness. Rather complementary alongside a dark red wine like Syrah/Shiraz.

I implore you to give a good, hard look at the wrapper on this one. Stunning. Simply one of the smoothest Connecticut wrappers I’ve ever seen. But what else would you expect from Nick Perdomo? This Nicaraguan-made treat offers warm notes of cedar, spice, and hints of vanilla on the finish. Smooth enough for the morning, flavorful enough to end the evening, this gem will hit the spot for any enthusiast!

This ‘90’-rated Nicaraguan puro made by AJ Fernandez looks modern, but it’s really an homage to the famous blends that came out of Havana during the late ‘60s to early ‘70s. Medium to full-bodied, an attractive chocolate-brown wrapper greets the senses before paving way for a flavor profile laden with notes of pepper, vanilla, coffee bean, citrus, and toast.

When AJ Fernandez was asked to blend a Nicaraguan puro for Montecristo, it resulted in this ‘93’-rated, #10 of 2018. Notes of earth, hay, red pepper, red berries, cedar, and sweet hickory in this medium-bodied blend provide a new take on that classic Monte experience. Construction is flawless, with the right amount of pull on the draw.

This ‘93’ rated spin-off of the original Black Market was Cigar Aficionado’s #9 of 2018. Sourcing prime tobaccos from the Plasencia family, this handmade utilizes a double binder (Honduras and Nicaragua) amid a Nicaraguan wrapper and long-filler bunch. Medium to full-bodied, it contains a consistent woodiness, with notes of caramel, cashew, cocoa, and a bit of raisin on the finish.

El Diario in this instance means “daily,” so welcome to your everyday La Palina indulgence. This ‘93’ rated blend gets its spice from the top-choice Nicaraguan long-fillers, and its natural sweetness is courtesy of the Honduran Rosado wrapper. Offering up dense smoke and a fluid draw, expect notes of earth, cedar, pepper, nuts, and stone fruits.

This ‘93’ rated premium marked the golden anniversary of the Toraño Exodus line – a blend commemorating all cigar families forced to flee Cuba. A toothy Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper atop long-fillers from two prized Nicaraguan regions dance on the palate with notes of earth, baking spice, black pepper, and turbinado. Medium to full-bodied, a long finish awaits all who enjoy it.

The most premium blend in the AVO family, XO hails from Davidoff's famed Tabadom Factory. A complex array of cream, wood, nuts, and dried fruit subtly unfold on the palate thanks to its five-country tobacco blend. This medium-bodied cigar has a spicy finish, and I enjoy my AVO XO alongside a sturdy Rye served neat.

'92' rated, extensively-aged long-fillers set the tone for a richer, bolder La Gloria Cubana. This initial line extension is still popular 23 years after its release, and the No.4 is a vitola for those who still prefer classic sizing. Expect sweet cedar, spice, earth, citrus peel, and a floral bouquet with an even burn.

Comprised of top crops aged four years plus an extra year in rum barrels, it's an exotic mix of Dominican, Brazilian, and Cameroonian tobaccos capped with a Cameroon-seed wrapper grown under Ecuadorian skies. Notes of black peppercorn are underscored by wheat, leather, and sugar, culminating in a warm, salt-and-pepper-like finish. This medium-bodied Perfecto never disappoints.